Documentation
No one can RTFM if there isn’t one!
Flowblade features quick instructions on how to use the application, but the lack of suitable screenshots make following the terse instructions difficult. Worse still, the instructions are outdated and don’t reflect the changes introduced with recent releases.
Kdenlives fares far better, with a thorough user manual hosted on https://userbase.kde.org/Kdenlive/Manual. You’ll also find a forum board discussing different aspects of the project such as Installation, Video Effects & Transitions and Audio. Users can also share their own content in the Kdenlive Gallery forum.
First published in 2009, the LiVES user manual isn’t all that relevant any more, and is of no assistance to novices. The Beginner’s Quick Introduction is a better prospect, coupled with the several video tutorials available on the Documentation page of the website. You can also ask for help in the lives-users mailing list.
Every section of the Openshot use guide is replete with helpful screenshots of the tool. If you’re already familiar with video-editing software, or even if you only have a general awareness of the process, the Quick Tutorial runs you through the broad steps. You can then navigate the sidebar to delve deeper into the usage. The forum boards hosted on openshotusers.com aren’t active and there hasn’t been any new posts in almost a year. But the dedicated sub-forum on user-recommended tutorials are definitely worth some of your time.
Shotcut features a Getting Started guide in several languages, including English. Also on offer are video tutorials covering key topics such as Multitrack Timeline Basics.